Turtle Shell wireless speaker for bicycles and beyond

The Outdoor Technology Turtle Shell speaker, which was announced at CES in January, is edging closer to production. Last week, Outdoor Technology showed the model at the Interbike trade show and launched a Kickstarter campaign designed to get the speaker into cyclists' hands by next month.

Bike-oriented speakers tend to come in distinctive shapes, and the Turtle Shell is no exception. The three-dimensional wireless boombox gives us a lesson in geometry with its triangular design.

While its look might be what catches your eye, the real story that Outdoor Technology wants to tell lies underneath. The company says that the Turtle Shell is the first ever to feature a camera tripod threading. This means that it can attach to camera mounts, tripods and accessories, making it a little more versatile than other speakers. Outdoor Technology's Turtle Claw mount secures it to a bike's handlebars. The Turtle Shell is built to survive your most trying adventures - it is shockproof, dustproof and water-resistant to the IXP-5 standard.

Of course, you don't buy a speaker because it looks cool or is rugged; you buy it to listen to. Toward that end, the Turtle Shell has dual 2-watt drivers and a passive bass port. It uses Bluetooth to pair with your phone or music player and can communicate at distances up to 30 feet. A built-in microphone allows you to take and make calls.

The Turtle Shell is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that provide up to 10 hours of listening. It includes track, volume controls and a 3.5-mm jack for wired input.

Outdoor Technology has turned to Kickstarter to raise some additional funds for filling its initial orders. It is closing in on its US$40,000 goal, and contributors can get a Turtle Shell for $99 for a few more days. Deliveries are slated to begin next month. The Turtle Shell's regular retail price is listed at $150.